What is that Funky Smell?!?!?!

Topic: How to Prepare your Home for Travel

So, the vacation season may finally be just around the corner! You have, hopefully, contacted your super-amazing Travel Professional, namely me, to help you plan the perfect experience and shopped-for and packed all your new cute travel clothes…and you think you’re ready? Maybe not! You may be ready but is your home ready…in good shape so it stays clean, protected, and even energy-efficient while you are gone?

CLEAN:

- Change the sheets – When you arrive home from your vacation, nothing beats collapsing into crisp, clean sheets…in your own bed. It’s worth the few extra minutes it takes before you leave.

- Take out the trash – Nothing could be worse than arriving home to realize you forgot to take out the garbage! Not exactly the way you want your fabulous vacation to end!

- Empty out the Fridge – Throw out any leftovers and maybe offer any perishables that won’t last to your friendly neighbors. No sense in wasting good food, plus you don’t want to have to worry about it when you return.

PROTECT:

- Lock all of your windows – It’s easy to remember to lock the doors, but be sure all windows are shut tightly and locked. You don’t want to come home to puddles of rainwater, or an unexpected intruder!

- Be sure someone has a key – find a trusted family member or neighbor and ensure that they have a way into your home or apartment in case of an emergency. You never know when it could come in handy. One time, a friend was traveling in Hong Kong when her home flooded from rising lake waters…the landlords were able to go in and put a lot of things up on counters and even moved her car out of the garage to higher ground! They saved her tons of hassles and money!

- Email yourself copies of your credit cards, ID, and travel documents to a web-based email account. Just in case something happens while you are traveling (can you say “pickpockets”?) you can easily access all your important confirmations and details wherever you can get online. Remember to photocopy both sides of your credit cards and insurance cards! Also, make a copy of the information page of your passport – carry it with you separate from your purse or pocket. This will be a life-saver if you lose or misplace your passport while traveling.

CONSERVE:

- Adjust the thermostat – Be sure to set the air conditioning or heat to an appropriate level to save on energy costs while you are away. Also, you might consider turning down the hot water heater temperature or turning off. You will be very glad you did when you receive next month’s utility bills!

- Invest in a timer – An inexpensive timer unit from any hardware store allows you to program your lights for security purposes (and energy conservation). Those nasty home stalkers will think someone is home and pass you by!

- Unplug! – Unplug any appliances that you can while you are gone (think toaster, coffee maker, and office printer). They can be a fire hazard, as well as sucking precious electricity even while you are thousands of miles away on the beach.

By following these suggestions, you can make sure that your next amazing vacation isn't ruined by a nasty surprise lurking inside your front door...It's depressing enough having to return to reality without finding a stinky trash can! Trust me...we all know!